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Schoolkids help promote hand hygiene at children’s hospital

Two schoolchildren have lent a hand to help stop the spread of germs at Derby Teaching Hospitals by redesigning the hand wash dispensers.

Hundreds of children from schools from across the county took part in a competition to come up with the best way to remind youngsters about the importance of hygiene.

After impressing the judges with their wacky and wonderful ideas, Holly Brownhill, 11, and Sam Roe, 13, were selected as the winners and will soon see their designs cover all of the hand sanitizers at Derbyshire Children’s Hospital.

Holly, who has just started Year 7 at West Park School, included a cartoon of the soap from the dispenser “zapping the germs” as part of her design.

She said: “I always like to think of soap going across hands to stop the germs, so I thought it would be a good idea to help encourage people to wash their hands when they come to hospital.”

Sam, who attends Heanor Gate Science College, struck a chord with the judges with his design by telling visitors “if you’re happy and you know it, clean your hands”.

He said: “It’s a bit weird to know that what I made will soon be seen all over the hospital by so many people but I’m really proud to have won.”

The new dispensers are due to be installed across Paediatrics in November, with Sam and Holly both being presented with special prototypes featuring their designs to take home with them.

Acting Chief Nurse at Derby Teaching Hospitals, Jim Murray, said: “Infection control is crucial in allowing us to treat our patients in the safest environment possible. This initiative is a fantastic example of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to providing great care. We’re delighted with the two designs that have been chosen and I look forward to soon seeing our new hand sanitizers across Derbyshire Children’s Hospital.”